I just want to take a few moments, to help anyone who may be about to get hurt.
Next, it might help to explain that I've been in the plumbing trade for 38 years. In the first half of my career I poured a tremendous amount of lead into cast iron pipe joints. I just want to share what I know about molten lead and the safe handling of it.
I have set up a lead pot and poured lead in many different locations, and I'm going to try and give you the short version of "how to".
1.The lead pot should be located on a flat level surface. It is nice to put down a 4'x4' square piece of plywood under the furnace/melter. It makes clean up afterward a lot easier.
2.All lead to be melted must be "bone dry", no exceptions however trivial.
3.If you are pouring lead lingots with a friend, and are passing the ladle back and forth, always set the ladle down and pivot the handle toward the friend and then let him pick it up again.
4.Never locate your casting area near something that you do not want destroyed.
If moisture comes in contact with the molten lead, it will explode in all directions.
5. If you have to move a pot full of molten lead use a pot hook fashioned out of a piece of heavy 1/4" steel rod.
6. Never set the hot lead pot on a finished concrete surface as the air trapped in the concrete will explode and ruin the concrete.
7. If you are pouring outside (which I hope) be sure to have a flat piece of sheet metal handy in case a quick storm blows up. You simply shut off the heat to the pot and cover it if you don't have time to move it to a dry location.
8. If you knock the pot of molten lead over and it comes in contact with moisture it will probably pop all over the place.
Last evening I was casting 60/40 (60 tin/40 lead) wiping solder ingots from some old pipe I've had for years. There was an old brass cock (valve), with two wiped solder joints on it, one on each end. I looked inside both ends and they were dry. Next, I set it into the molten lead and walked away (about 15ft) and in about two minutes the whole pot popped. The lead went 11 ft. into the air and cover a 7 ft. radius circle (I measured for you guys). In hindsite I should have first melted the valve joints onto a piece of sheet metal and then placed it into the pot. Hindsite is 20/20. There must have been ever so little moisture trapped in the valve stem.
My point being, even if you take all the safety precautions sometimes things still happen. That is one reason I won't cast in my basement. I don't claim to be an expert at anything, but I've seen some stuff happen with molten lead. Any burns you unfortunately receive from hot lead are not easily forgotten. Hope I help at least one person.
Regards, and safe casting, Castormd
